A disappointed supporter for Former Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., holds up her sign during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Monday.

Demonstrators make their way around downtown, Monday in Philadelphia, during the first day of the Democratic National Convention. On Sunday, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., announced she would step down as DNC chairwoman at the end of the party’s convention, after some of the 19,000 emails, presumably stolen from the DNC by hackers, were posted to the website Wikileaks.

He stood at the podium, trying to start his speech, but the cheers from his particular supporters were so long and so loud, he simply couldn’t start it.

So Bernie Sanders stood on the podium in the Wells Fargo Center Monday night — the first day of the Democratic National Convention — and basked in the moment.

The last strains of Simon and Garfunkel’s “America” played, just as it had on so many campaign stops where he battled Hillary Clinton in a shockingly strong bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

And Sanders, who began his nascent campaign 14 months ago in the smallest of states with the biggest of goals, endorsed his rival, making a detailed, point-by-point argument for why a vote for Clinton was a vote to continue the “political revolution” he believes he’s started.

But before he did all that, the Brooklyn-born Senator of Vermont, allowed his supporters to have one more moment together.

But he also said what party leaders — and Clinton — desperately hope will stick with his backers when the general election rolls around in November.

“Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president,” he said.

“And I am proud to stand with her here tonight.”

Long journey

It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

When Sanders launched his bid for the presidency, in Burlington, a city where he had once been mayor, he was the longest of long shots going up against the best-known brand name in American politics.

Clinton wasn’t just the favorite; she felt like the Democrats’ designated successor to President Barack Obama. She had an expansive resume. She had insider experience and support. And she had money.

Sanders had a dour look and a clinical speaking voice and a resume that included the word “socialist.”

But Sanders also had ideas — about campaign finance reform and free trade and college debt — and a willingness to sell them relentlessly.

And people listened.

While mainstream media largely missed his early rise, Sanders was quietly building a strong bid among the young and former Occupy folk and millions of others who don’t believe the Democratic party fully represents their beliefs.

By Iowa, Clinton could only squeak out a win over Sanders.

Then, in New Hampshire, the Vermont senator trounced Clinton. She won in Nevada and cleaned up in the South, but it was game on; Sanders wouldn’t go away. Eventually, he’d win caucuses and primaries in more than 20 states, pick up more than 12 million votes and enough delegates to make the Democratic Party squirm.

So on Monday, in Philadelphia, Sanders spent the early part of his speech paying homage to his supporters and activists — the people who made that strong run possible. He was interrupted frequently by loud cheers.

“I understand that many people here in this convention hall and around the country are disappointed about the final results of the nominating process,” Sanders said.

“I think it’s fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am.

“But to all of our supporters — here and around the country — I hope you take enormous pride in the historical accomplishments we have achieved.”

Being ridiculous

He endorsed Clinton ahead of the convention, but only after negotiating the party’s platform to the left, where it addressed college education costs and advocated raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

On stage, Monday, Sanders pointed to his supporters and told them that platform is the most progressive in the history of the Democratic party.

Still, the speech came at a moment of stark division within that party.

On Sunday, emails were leaked from the Democratic National Committee that seemed to show what Sanders supporters have claimed for months — that party officials were favoring Clinton and, apparently, willing to work from within to get her elected.

For many Sanders supporters, those emails have left feelings raw — raw enough that some of those supporters in the California delegation spent their pancake breakfast Monday booing and shouting during speeches from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

They remained skeptical of Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the now former DNC leader who was forced out by the email scandal.

They remained angry enough, during the evening Monday, that comedian Sarah Silverman ended her time on stage with a finger wag:

“To the Bernie or bust people,” she said. “You’re being ridiculous.”

It’ll become clear in November if what Sanders said Monday will bring them back.